Adjustable easel

ABSTRACT

An adjustable easel for supporting a rectangular stretcher frame for canvas has a frame comprising a pair of vertical channel shaped rails with longitudinal slots in front sides. Upper and lower angle bars extend transversely across the rails and are adjustably positioned by bolts engaging clamp blocks inside the rails. A palette is removably mounted on the lower angle bar. A stand can be provided for adjustably supporting the easel frame in various angular positions. The palette support may have a removable platform and a removable plate for supporting paint tubes.

United States Patent 11 1 1111 3,715,097 Kalajian 1451 Feb. 6, 1973 I541 ADJUSTABLE EASEL FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Inventor: J Kalajian. 340 Starr 92,977 10/1958 Norway ..24s/109 Brooklyn. 11237 362,182 7/1962 Switzerland ..248/108 [22] Filed: Jan. 7,1971 I Primary ExaminerW1ll1am H. Schultz [21] Appl- 104,722 Attorney-Polachek & Saulsbury 152 US. Cl. ..248/449, 248/455, 248/460 ABSTRACT I5 I Int. Cl. ..A47b 97/04 An ad ustable easel for supporting a rectangular held of Search stretcher frame for canvas has a. frame comprising a pair of vertical channel shaped rails with longitudinal {56] References Cited slots in front sides. Upper and lower angle bars extend transversely across the Hills and are ad ustably pos1- UNITED STATES PATENTS tioned by'bolts engaging clamp blocks inside the rails. 3,095,666 7/1963 1411166 ..24s/449 A paleue removably .moumecu the lower angle 410 226 9/1889 bar. A stand can be prov1ded for ad ustably supportmg 33601319 12/1967 the ease] frame in various angular positions. The 3,226,077 12/1965 palette support may have a removable platform and a 3,095,665 7/1963 removable plate for supporting paint tubes. 2,984,443 5/l96l 71 1,759 10/1902 Chmelitzek ..248/245 3 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures '0 3O 1 4 l i 8 9O 34 48M [l l2 j IOO L \i I18 PATENTEDFEB 6 1975 SHEET 2 OF 2 FIG. I3.

INVENTOR.

KALAJIAN JOHN f fl r A TTURNE Y5 ADJUSTABLE EASEL This invention concerns an improved artists easel adapted for adjustably supporting a framed canvas and pallette.

Artists easels of the studio type heretofore known have generally been massive structures made of wood with a limited range of adjustability.

The present invention involves a studio type easel which is simpler in construction and more economical to manufacture than prior easels. It is adapted for mounting on a vertical wall or other vertical support, or it can be mounted on a stand for adjustment in various angular positions backward or forward. A pallet is removably and adjustably mounted on the easel. The easel can be made of metal or plastic parts.

Other and further features, objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken together with the drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an easel embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a reduced side view of the easel with pallet attached.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view taken on line 3-3 ofFlG.1.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of parts of the easel.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the palette per se.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another easel including a stand for adjustable angular support.

FIG. 7 is a side view illustrating how the easel can be angularly adjusted.

FIGS. 8, 9 and are enlarged fragmentary sectional views taken on lines 8-8, 9-9 and 10-10 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of parts of the easel of FIG. 6 and FIG. 7.

FIG. 13 is a further enlarged cross sectional view taken on line 13-13 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary enlarged cross sectional view taken on line l4- 14 of FIG. 6.

Referring first to FIGS. 1-4, there is shown an easel mountable on any suitable vertical support such as a wall 22. The easel comprises a pair of vertical parallel channel bars or rails 23 and 24 each having a back wall 25, side walls 26 and front flanges 28 separated by a longitudinal slot 30. A pair of upper and lower angle bars 32, 34 is provided for supporting a rectangular framed stretcher frame 36 on which a canvas. Bar 32 has a vertical flange 38 provided with spaced holes 40 through which extend carriage bolts 42. The head 43 of each bolt is engaged on a shoulder in hole 44 formed in a clamp block 46 slidably disposed inside one of the rails 23, 24. The shank of the bolt extends through slot 30 and is engaged by wingnut 48 and washer 49; see FIGS. 3,4. A flange 50 is angularly disposed to flange 38 and extends forwardly and downwardly to engage the top of frame 36. A similar arrangement of clamp block, carriage bolts and wingnuts is provided for the lower bar 34. Bar 34 has a flange extending outwardly and upwardly from vertical flange 62 for engaging and supporting the lower end of framed canvas 36.

A palette is provided for the easel. This palette has a horizontal platform 72 provided with a vertical back wall 74. Secured to the back wall is a bracket 75 having forwardly extending spaced fingers 76 arranged to engage capped tubes 77 of paint or other materials employed by an artist in painting on the canvas 36. The platform has an opening 78 for supporting a container 79 of turpentine or other fluid. The palette can be secured to rail 34 by inserting ends of bolts 40 through holes 80 provided at upper corners of back wall 74 and bracket 75.

By the arrangement described, bars 32 and 34 can be adjustably spaced apart vertically for mounting canvas covered frames of different sizes. The palette 70 moves up or down with bar 34 so that it is always conveniently placed for use. The palette can easily be removed if desired. The vertical rails 23, 24 can be secured to vertical support 22 by means of screws or bolts 82 inserted through holes 83 in back wall 25 of each rail. Further holes 84 can be provided at bottom ends of the rail for purposes described in connection with FIGS. 613 to which reference is now made.

The easel 20A shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is generally similar to easel 20. and corresponding parts are identically numbered. A stand is provided to support the easel frame. The stand includes cross bar 90 inserted between bars 32, 34 and held in place by bolts 92 inserted through slots 30 in the vertical rails 23, 24. The bolts are engaged in slidable clamp blocks 94 in rails 23, 24; see FIG. 8. Pivotally engaged on bracket 96 secured to the back of bar 90 is the upper end of a brace bar 98. This brace bar is channel shaped; see FIG. 10. Opposed flanges 97 of bar 98 are engaged by hinge bolt 99 extending through sleeve 102 and engaged by wingnut 106. Bar 98 is pivotally engaged at its lower end by bolt 108 in bracket flanges 110 on cross bar 112; see FIG. 14. The lower ends of rails 23, 24 are engaged by bolts 114 inserted through holes 84 in rails 23, 24, sleeves 115, and slots 116 in spaced flanges 118 of channel bars 120; see FIGS. 9, 11. Forward ends of the bars 120 extend beyond the slots 116. The base bars 120 are joined by cross bars 112, 122. Bolts 114 are held by wingnuts 126. By the arrangement described, the rails 23, 24 can be adjusted in various selected angular positions with respect to the horizontal channel bars 120, as shown by dotted lines in FIG. 7. The forwardly tilted position P shown in FIG. 7 is desirable when a canvas on a large stretcher 36' is being painted and it is desired to reach upper parts of the canvas without smearing lower parts. The rearwardly tilted position P' is desirable for painting small pictures.

Palette 70a shown in FIGS. 7, 12 and 13 has a back wall 74a provided with apertured ears 128 for receiving bolts 42 held by wingnuts 48 at angle bar 34. The palette has an upper forwardly tilted flange 130 which abuts the underside of flange 60 on bar 34. This stabilizes the structure. On back wall 74a are integrallyforrned channel guides 132 and 133 which slidably receive plates 134 and 136. Plate 134 is formed with fingers 138 for holding tubes of paint. This plate has a cross head 140 engaged in channel guide 132. Plate 134 is angularly disposed to back wall 74a as best shown in FIG. 12 so that when the easel is tilted forwardly to position P as shown in FIG. 7, the tubes 77 will be held upright. Lower channel guide 133 removably supports palette plate 136. Plate 136 is provided with a cross head 144 which fits slidably in the channel guide.

By use of stand 100, the easel frame can be supported on a floor or other horizontal support and can be tilted at various angles for optimum convenience in painting. When not in use the stand can be folded up behind the easel frame formed by the vertical rails and cross bars.

The rails of the ease] can be made of extruded metal or plastic parts. Other parts can also be made of metal or plastic. The easels are light in weight, strong and durable in construction, and can be economically manufactured. They will not crack, chip or warp. They are dimensionally stable. They can be made up in attractive colors and different sizes, which can provide means for mounting and displaying paintings and pictures.

While a limited number of embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be apparent that many modifications are possible without departing from the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An easel for supporting a rectangular stretcher frame for canvas, comprising a pair of vertical, spaced channel shaped rails having longitudinal slots formed in front sides thereof; upper and lower angle bars for mounting a stretcher frame extending transversely across the channel shaped rails; clamp blocks inside the rails; bolts extending through the slots and engaging said blocks and angle bars for slidably adjusting the angle bars on the rails; a support for mounting the vertical rails in an upright manner comprising a stand including a pair of horizontal base bars; pivot means pivotally securing bottom ends of the rails to said base bars; a first cross bar connecting the base bars; a second cross bar connecting the .rails and located between the angle bars; means for adjustably positioning the second cross bar on the rails; and a brace bar pivotally joined at opposite ends to the first and second cross bars so that the rails are adjustably positioned and held angularly with respect to the horizontal base bars, and a palette assembly having a vertical back wall mountable on the lower angle bar so that the palette is adjustably positioned with the lower angle bar along the rails, said palette assembly comprising channel guides integral with said back wall; and a platform plate and a tube support plate slidably and removably engaged in the respective channel guides.

2. An easel for supporting a rectangular stretcher frame for canvas, comprising a pair of vertical, spaced channel shaped rails having longitudinal slots formed in the front sides thereof; upper and lower angle bars for mounting a stretcher frame extending transversely across the channel shaped rails; clamp blocks inside the rails; bolts extending through the slots and engaging said blocks and angle bars for slidably adjusting the angle bars on the rails, a support for mounting the vertical rails in an upright manner comprising a stand including a pair of horizontal base bars; pivot means pivotally securing bottom ends of the rails to said base bars; 'a first cross bar connecting the base bars; a second cross bar connecting the rails and located between the angle bars; means for adjustably positioning the second cross bar on the rails; and a brace bar pivotally joined at opposite ends to the first and second cross bars so that the rails are adjustably positioned and held angularly with respect to the horizontal base bars, said base bars having horizontal slots formed therein,

sai rails having apertures formed near bottom ends thereof, said pivot means comprising other bolts engaged in said horizontal slots so that the rails are slidably and pivotably adjustable on the base bars; a palette assembly having a vertical back wall mountable on the lower angle bar so that the palette is adjustably positioned with the lower angle bar along the rails; said palette assembly further comprising channel guides integral with said back wall; and a platform plate and a tube support plate slidably and removably engaged in the respective channel guides.

3. An easel as defined in claim 2, wherein said tube support plate is formed with a plurality of spaced fingers for supporting paint tubes therebetween, said tube support plate being disposed at an angle to said back wall so that the tube support plate is substantially horizontal and the tubes are held substantially vertical when the rails are tilted forwardly on the base bars. 

1. An easel for supporting a rectangular stretcher frame for canvas, comprising a pair of vertical, spaced channel shaped rails having longitudinal slots formed in front sides thereof; upper and lower angle bars for mounting a stretcher frame extending transversely across the channel shaped rails; clamp blocks inside the rails; bolts extending through the slots and engaging said blocks and angle bars for slidably adjusting the angle bars on the rails; a support for mounting the vertical rails in an upright manner comprising a stand including a pair of horizontal base bars; pivot means pivotally securing bottom ends of the rails to said base bars; a first cross bar connecting the base bars; a second cross bar connecting the rails and located between the angle bars; means for adjustably positioning the second cross bar on the rails; and a brace bar pivotally joined at opposite ends to the first and second cross bars so that the rails are adjustably positioned and held angularly with respect to the horizontal base bars, and a palette assembly having a vertical back wall mountable on the lower angle bar so that the palette is adjustably positioned with the lower angle bar along the rails, said palette assembly comprising channel guides integral with said back wall; and a platform plate and a tube support plate slidably and removably engaged in the respective channel guides.
 1. An easel for supporting a rectangular stretcher frame for canvas, comprising a pair of vertical, spaced channel shaped rails having longitudinal slots formed in front sides thereof; upper and lower angle bars for mounting a stretcher frame extending transversely across the channel shaped rails; clamp blocks inside the rails; bolts extending through the slots and engaging said blocks and angle bars for slidably adjusting the angle bars on the rails; a support for mounting the vertical rails in an upright manner comprising a stand including a pair of horizontal base bars; pivot means pivotally securing bottom ends of the rails to said base bars; a first cross bar connecting the base bars; a second cross bar connecting the rails and located between the angle bars; means for adjustably positioning the second cross bar on the rails; and a brace bar pivotally joined at opposite ends to the first and second cross bars so that the rails are adjustably positioned and held angularly with respect to the horizontal base bars, and a palette assembly having a vertical back wall mountable on the lower angle bar so that the palette is adjustably positioned with the lower angle bar along the rails, said palette assembly comprising channel guides integral with said back wall; and a platform plate and a tube support plate slidably and removably engaged in the respective channel guides.
 2. An easel for supporting a rectangular stretcher frame for canvas, comprising a pair of vertical, spaced channel shaped rails having longitudinal slots formed in the front sides thereof; upper and lower angle bars for mounting a stretcher frame extending transversely across the channel shaped rails; clamp blocks inside the rails; bolts extending through the slots and engaging said blocks and angle bars for slidably adjusting the angle bars on the rails, a support for mounting the vertical rails in an upright manner comprising a stand including a pair of horizontal base bars; pivot means pivotally securing bottom ends of the rails to said base bars; a first cross bar connecting the base bars; a second cross bar connecting the rails and located between the angle bars; means for adjustably positioning the second cross bar on the rails; and a brace bar pivotally joined at opposite ends to the first and second cross bars so that the rails are adjustably positioned and held angularly with respect to the horizontal base bars, said base bars having horizontal slots formed therein, said rails having apertures formed near bottom ends thereof, said pivot means comprising other bolts engaged in said horizontal slots so that the rails are slidably and pivotably adjustable on the base bars; a palette assembly having a vertical back wall mountable on the lower angle bar so that the palette is adjustably positioned with the lower angle bar along the rails; said palette assembly further comprising channel guides integral with said back wall; and a platform plate and a tube support plate slidably and removably engaged in the respective channel guides. 